Who doesn't love a classic Carnegie Library, but on the other hand, there are advantages to being in a new building.

From San Jose Mercury News: The downtown Walnut Creek Library, which opened a year ago, was recently awarded the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design "gold" status. Known as LEED, this internationally recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council endorses the library's design, construction, operations and maintenance as environmentally friendly and sustainable.

The library also has an outstanding modern art collection, the best known piece is shown in the video below.

Certification costs more than $10,000, and many developers strive for it, to meet consumer demand and to stand out above competitors.
City leaders thought they would achieve the silver LEED status but were overjoyed to hear that the $39.9 million library project got the gold.

"If energy efficiency is an important objective for the community at large, then it's important for the city to serve as a model," said Mayor Cindy Silva.

The library's green elements include an Energy Star-rated roof, stormwater management, daylight harvesting control, use of recycled and regionally manufactured materials, water efficient landscaping and plumbing and a raised flooring system to provide efficient heating and cooling. A kiosk in the library details how and why the building is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

"What better place to demonstrate what you can do to be energy efficient then in an a library?" Silva said.